The Assessment of Olfactory Function Related to the Age after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Choi, Yoon Seok; Jang, Tae Young; Bae, Sung Ho; Choi, Jeong Seok; Kim, Bo Mook

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We assessed olfactory function change in patients with chronic sinusitis who received endoscopic sinus surgery. By comparing the olfactory test results of two different age groups, we determined whether age affected postoperative olfactory function.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Twenty patients with chronic sinusitis (2 age groups, with 10 patients in the forties and 10 patients in the seventies), who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were selected. We used preoperative OMU CT and nasal endoscopy examination to evaluate the severity of sinusitis and polyp. Preoperative and postoperative nasal symptoms were assessed by questionnaires. The improvement of olfactory function after endoscopic sinus surgery was evaluated by olfactory function tests (T & T olfactometer and CCCRC test) preoperatively and postoperatively.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the severity of chronic sinusitis in both groups. Significant improvement of olfactory function was seen in both groups. There was no significant differences in the improvement of olfactory function between younger and older groups.
CONCLUSION
Though old aged patients with chronic sinusitis have olfactory dysfunction, active surgical treatment is effective in the improvement of olfactory function.